[unable to retrieve full-text content]
COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 1 November 2021 Australian Government Department of Health[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Coles commences construction on two WA centres and opens a new Local store – Shopping Centre News Belinda DalyVictoria has recorded 1,471 new local COVID-19 cases and four deaths as quarantine-free international travel returns to Melbourne.
There are now 21,959 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 309 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
The new cases were identified from 46,065 test results received yesterday.
There are now 699 people in hospital with COVID-19 in Victoria, of whom 136 are in intensive care, and 86 are on a ventilator.
The seven-day average for people in hospital is now 742.
Hospitalisations during the current outbreak peaked on October 18 when 851 people were in hospital.
There were 14,413 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites yesterday, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Victoria is expected to reach the target of having 90 per cent of its population aged 12 and over fully vaccinated by November 24.
That will trigger more easing of restrictions, including the removal of density limits.
For the first time in 18 months, international arrivals do not have to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine upon their arrival in Melbourne.
Flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo are arriving today, while a number of departure flights for fully vaccinated passengers are scheduled for this afternoon.
Loading form...
The fate of Australia’s regional publishers could be in the hands of one of the world’s biggest suppliers of paper after it announced plans to increase its costs by more than 30 per cent.
Norwegian-owned paper company Norske Skog has informed some of Australia’s newspaper publishers and print suppliers that it will increase its rates by between 30 per cent and 40 per cent due to rising electricity prices and high costs of freight shipping that have created supply problems.
One of Australia’s key paper manufacturers, Norske Skog, wants to substantially increase its costs.Credit:Louie Douvis
Industry sources who spoke anonymously because the discussions are confidential said Norske Skog had also told smaller publishers it would place limits on how much paper News Corporation could use. News Corp is the biggest newspaper publisher in the country and owns titles including The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and The Herald Sun. News Corp declined to comment.
Norske Skog is one of the key providers of paper to the local publishing industry. It runs a mill in Tasmania and until recently ran a New Zealand Mill, which were both providing paper to local outlets. The Tasmanian Mill - known as Boyer - now sells paper to publications in New Zealand and Australia.
There is another local mill called Opal, which is not owned by Norse Skog, but it does not specialise in newspapers or magazines, and the cost of buying paper from international mills is exorbitant because of current shipping rates.
Publishing sources have said an increase in costs of 30 per cent to 40 per cent may force them to hike cover prices for their newspapers and also lift advertising rates. It could also affect the frequency of printing and the number of pages appearing in metropolitan or regional newspaper editions.
If a solution with Norske Skog is not reached, the local publishing industry faces the risk of more newspaper and magazine closures. News Corp Australia last year axed hundreds of jobs and stopped the print editions of more than 100 suburban and regional mastheads. Meanwhile, Australian Community Media, which owns more than 100 newspapers including The Newcastle Herald and The Canberra Times, temporarily stopped print publication of non-daily newspapers during the coronavirus pandemic. Several long-standing independent newspapers were also forced to close during the pandemic.
Are Media, publisher of Australian Women’s Weekly and Woman’s Day, axed hundreds of roles last year and closed a range of titles (some have since returned to print under new ownership).
“If the price increases between 30 per cent to 40 per cent are correct, it is staggering that any organisation would think it is appropriate to implement those increases when our industry has endured such difficult economic conditions,” ACM executive chairman Antony Catalano said.
Nine Entertainment Co sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the company was taking the matter seriously but did not believe the change would affect its commitment to printing newspapers in any way. Nine publishes The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. But both Nine and News Corp sources have told this masthead they have concerns with the proposed price hike, which could be implemented within four weeks.
Norske Skog, which predominantly prints newspaper, catalogue paper and magazine paper, has made the decision to bump prices due to large increases in the cost of electricity in Europe and the cost of shipping, which has risen dramatically since COVID-19. Gas prices are emerging as a major factor impacting pricing of imported product into Australia and New Zealand.
But unlike Europe, the cost of electricity has not grown substantially in Australia and Norske Skog receives government subsidies to ship products from Tasmania to the mainland and into other markets. Norske Skog’s Boyer Mill, which produced Australia’s first newsprint in 1941, remains one of the state’s major employers and received JobKeeper funding last year. Norske Skog was approached for comment.
The last time there was a major paper shortage was during World War 2, when limits on newspaper and importation of newsprint were enforced under the National Security Act in 1939. The amount of paper allowed for production was reduced by 35 per cent and newsprint rationing came into effect in mid-1941. It was not relaxed until October 1943.
The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
Jellysmack will help expand the content creator’s presence across other platforms by helping edit and optimise content for each particular platform and help bring in audiences for that content. However, it does not typically help connect creators with brands for sponsorship opportunities.
“The bigger creators become, the bigger their presence is across all platforms, the more audiences they reach, the impact on brand partnership and sponsorships comes with it. It’s not something that we’re involved directly, but it’s a trigger effect of what we do,” Mr Ritchie said.
Globally Jellysmack works with creators such as PewDiePie, MrBeast, Bailey Sarian and Nas Daily while in Australia it has signed HowToBasic, JoshDub, How Ridiculous, Jazza, Mully, Self Sufficient Me, Tannar, Vincenzo’s Plate, Cupcake Savvy Kitchen and SAMMIT.
The creators range in size from 16.7 million YouTube subscribers (HowToBasic) to 470,000 (SAMMIT), with Jellysmack more focused on the creator’s video library and their frequency of posting rather than their subscriber base.
“We need to work with the big video libraries, as once we launch a creator – say on Facebook – we need to post quite frequently in order to for the page to start getting traction,” Mr Ritchie said. “So usually at the start, we post four times a week and that’s why we need to work with existing libraries that are big. And evergreen content is better than very newsworthy or topical content, just because it can work essentially any time.”
Mr Ritchie said to sign a creator the content is tested to ensure there is a likelihood of success in expanding their presence on other platforms, with Jellysmack taking on the financial risk should the venture fail.
“We invest our own money to grow the page and to acquire traffic. This is a big investment in terms of resources, expertise and financial investment from Jellysmack to start growing the presence of the creator on the new platform,” he said.
“Usually when a video goes live on Facebook, there are 30 people that have touched it at some point in time. We have content strategists, video editors, community managers, growth hackers, brand safety checkers.”
The brand safety checker role is crucial to ensure the content is in line with a platform’s community standards and a critical player in Jellysmack’s team considering the company is not shy of working with controversial creators such as PewDiePie, who has faced criticism for inappropriate jokes and controversial content.
For Jellysmack, the goal is to help its creators generate more revenue and attract bigger audiences.
Mr Ritchie said Jellysmack wants to help its Australian and New Zealand creators find new audiences abroad.
“Australian content is very exportable to English-speaking countries. It’s not uncommon that local content creators will have larger audiences in the US, for instance,” he said.
“A lot of them might be doing very well domestically, but we can take that content internationally to various English-speaking locations,” said Mr Ritchie.
“So if we can make an impact on as many content creators as possible in Australia and New Zealand, and enable them to thrive locally, but also internationally, that’s what success looks like.”
MORE than 125 jobs seekers from the Mid North Coast region of NSW will be supported into employment opportunities across agriculture, tourism and hospitality thanks to a $200,000 project under the Australian Government’s Local Recovery Fund.
YEP Careers will deliver the Your Empowered Pathway Starts Here program, which involves a series of career information and industry immersion expos aimed at helping displaced workers, disengaged youth and Indigenous Australians into jobs in the region’s biggest growth sectors.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said Local Recovery Fund projects are an important part of the Australian Government’s ongoing economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Local Recovery Fund is driving projects just like this one on the Mid North Coast, which support Australian communities by helping people find work and meeting the needs of local employers,” Minister Robert said.
“New South Wales regional communities have been hit hard with recent lockdowns but we’re now opening up and it’s initiatives such as these that will get job seekers back into employment, connect businesses with the staff they desperately need and help communities recover stronger than ever.
“The Local Recovery Fund is an important part of the Australian Government’s $276 million Local Jobs Program and our broader Economic Recovery Plan.”
Pat Conaghan, Federal Member for Cowper, said a key focus of the activity will be to provide disadvantaged youth with access to industry mentors and online training to support them into a meaningful career.
“Participants will be able to conduct industry site visits to enable them to connect in person with potential employers, which is such a critical part of securing a long-term job,” Mr Conaghan said.
The program will deliver seven career expos with about 100 attendees expected at each session, as well as industry representatives from agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
“These sectors will be crying out for skilled staff as we come out of lockdown and return to life as we knew it and so participants in this project, and those who will employ them, are poised to reap the benefits that come with this demand,” Mr Conaghan said.
“This is a tailored project, co-designed by those who know the local community and its employment landscape well.
“Most importantly, the project aims to open up a dialogue between industry representatives and participants, where they will be able to share their ideas about issues facing these sectors and develop their own ideas on how to address these issues.”
The Australian Government expanded and extended the Local Jobs Program in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to cover all 51 Employment Regions across Australia.
The Local Recovery Fund supports regions by funding tailored projects to help align job seekers with employment opportunities in their community.
More details about the Local Jobs Program can be found at www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program.
Victoria has recorded 1036 new local coronavirus infections overnight - the lowest number of cases since September 29.
The Sunday numbers come as Victoria clinched an 80 per cent double dose vaccination target for those aged 16 and above.
Congratulations, Victoria.
More than 80 per cent of us aged 16+ are now fully vaccinated and we thank each and every one of you for playing your part. pic.twitter.com/dy7ewi0335
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 30, 2021
There were 12 new deaths associated with Covid-19 in the state. The deaths take the toll from the current outbreak to 305.
The new cases were found from more than 56,000 test results processed yesterday and brings the number of active infections in the state to 22,013.
22,369 vaccine doses were distributed at state-run clinics yesterday, bringing the total number of jabs to more than 4.5 million.
702 people were hospitalised and 128 of those were in ICU.
Eased restrictions linked to the vaccination milestone were eased two days early, on Friday.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/ZRGGY0OtFf
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 30, 2021
Those relaxed rules meant shops, gyms and other retail businesses could reopen.
Masks were also scrapped outdoors and most indoor settings – including restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers – opened with no caps if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
Most outdoor settings now have a limit of up to 500 people, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
The same indoor and outdoor settings now also apply to host weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if all attendees are fully vaccinated, with caps of 30 people for weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if vaccination status is unknown.
NSW has recorded 177 new local coronavirus infections, a day before state residents will be allowed a number of new travel freedoms.
NSW has recorded 177 new local Covid-19 infections a day before state residents will be allowed to travel internationally.
Health authorities said there was one new death caused by the virus, while 78 cases were being treated in intensive care units.
From Monday, fully vaccinated Australians returning to NSW from overseas will not need to quarantine and those wanting to head overseas will not need an exemption to do so.
From that day, Sydney residents will also be able to travel to regional NSW and, from Tuesday, the travel bubble with New Zealand will return with holiday makers allowed to move from NZ’s South Island to NSW and Victoria without quarantine.
Commonwealth chief medical officer Paul Kelly said rapidly increasing vaccination coverage had allowed Australia to open borders to the world from November 1.
“Vaccinated Australians will be able to travel internationally without seeking exemptions, and vaccinated Australian citizens, residents and their families will be able to return quarantine-free to jurisdictions that are ready,” the professor said in a statement on Saturday evening.
“One-way quarantine-free travel to Australia from anywhere in New Zealand can recommence from 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 31 October 2021 for jurisdictions that are ready to do so and for travellers that have been in either Australia or New Zealand for the 14 days prior to departure.”
This will only apply to NSW and Victoria, however, as the two states are the only jurisdictions to abolish quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers.
As of Sunday, more than 93 per cent of NSW residents over 16 had received one dose and 87.5 per cent had received both jabs.
NSW virus numbers have remained relatively low for the past few weeks, compared with the months of August and September when there were more than 28 days with over a 1000 daily community cases.
Restrictions for the fully vaccinated have been significantly eased in the state, with further travel restrictions set to loosen on Monday.
Hospitalisation numbers fell slightly from 343 to 340.
NSW #COVID19 update – Sunday 31 October 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 93.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 87.5% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 75,378 tests pic.twitter.com/K4WqLeBULC
Meanwhile, thousands of free hospitality training spots will be opened up in a bid to help NSW businesses struggling with increased demand and a smaller workforce.
The government will fund about 3,000 training places across 29 TAFE courses, including barista training, introduction to cooking and safe food handling courses.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said businesses were struggling without the international workforce they depended on before NSW was sent into lockdown.
"People from all over the state are lining up to get into pubs and clubs and we want to support those businesses with enthusiastic and skilled staff," Mr Perrottet said on Sunday.
The new spots are on top of free places already funded under the JobTrainer program.
Read More
NSW parents, meanwhile, are being urged to keep the Halloween tradition COVID safe.
"Aim to keep celebrations outside," is the chief advice offered by NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty.
"Provide closed packaging for treats instead of communal lolly bowls and consider ways for distributing treats that are safe, for example, putting them along the front fence or in the front yard.
"Keep it local," he said.
By that he means parents and children should confine themselves to their own neighbourhood rather than wandering into 'treat streets' beyond.
Kids should not share face masks and if they are feeling unwell, they should not take part at all.
A proposed community supermarket, hoped to improve the health of Indigenous residents in a remote town, has attracted swift opposition from businesses including the local IGA.
Halls Creek Shire has leased a large vacant area, next to the town's pool and basketball courts, to Alice Springs-based Indigenous non-profit organisation Mai Wiru with the view it will have a supermarket, distribution warehouse and car park completed within 18 months.
Halls Creek Shire president Malcolm Edwards said the council had long wanted to drive down the cost of fresh food in the outback town and improve the lives of the mostly Indigenous population.
"Expensive fresh fruit has been an issue. Most people are on the dole and haven't got a lot of money," he said.
He said the town's businesses, in particular the IGA, had nothing to fear from extra competition, given the region's population was expected to grow.
"They're against it at the moment but I don't think it will be much of a threat to them," Mr Edwards said.
"There's going to be room for two supermarkets. They're probably going to have to reduce some of their prices."
The concept plan put forward by Mai Wiru is still in its infancy, with more details expected to be revealed when the outback store's operator lodges a planning application.
Halls Creek IGA has been contacted for comment.
A Perth-based legal firm acting for a small coalition of local businesses, including the IGA, wrote a letter objecting to the lease, arguing it was completely at odds with the council's planning strategy.
"The effect of the approval of this application will be to radically shift the centre of the township, to the significant detriment of business owners who are operating lawfully within the commercial zoned areas of the town site," the submission said.
Mr Edwards disagreed with the submission, which takes aim at the supermarket's location.
"They've raised some objections because the site is a civil and community reserve under the local town planning scheme and they're saying it doesn't fit that," he said.
The supermarket is expected to create at least 15 permanent jobs for local Indigenous people and would be governed by a community committee.
Once the store's equity is paid off surplus profits would then be directed back into the community through grants.
The price of fruit and vegetables in remote areas has long been a contentious issue and was last year the subject of a federal Inquiry, which looked into price gouging and supply chain problems.
The inquiry heard evidence of how the high cost of vegetables and basic essentials — at times triple the cost of city supermarkets — was affecting what residents could afford to eat.
Three hours drive south in Balgo, leaders say more community control over their store has helped keep their food prices down, despite the high freight cost of getting fresh produce into one of Australia's most remote places.
Queensland has recorded no new COVID cases in the past 24 hours.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr James Smith insists that all Queenslanders be vaccinated before the border opens.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that residents have one day left to get their vaccine and be fully protected when borders open just before Christmas.
The state has seen 77 per cent of residents receiving their first dose of vaccine and 63.05 per cent are fully vaccinated.
A Sydney man in his 80s who died at Liverpool Hospital was fully vaccinated but had also been ill before contracting the virus.
Some 343 COVID-19 patients remain in NSW hospitals, 81 of them in intensive care and 33 in need of ventilation.
More than 77,000 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, while 93.5 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 or over have now received at least one vaccine jab.
The state's full vaccination rate stands at 87 per cent.
In the 12-15 year old age group, 79 per cent have had their first dose and 58.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
NSW COVID-19 update – Saturday 30 October 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 93.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 87% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 77,271 tests pic.twitter.com/o1zfZbcaBw
New cases continue to be detected in the regions. Of the 236 latest infections, at least 146 were reported in health districts outside Greater Sydney.
Some 73 cases were found in the Hunter New England, 33 in Murrumbidgee and 13 on the Mid North Coast. Others were reported in the Illawarra, on the Central Coast and in the Blue Mountains.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has also detected fragments of the virus in samples collected at Leeton in the Riverina, Mullumbimby in the Byron Shire, the northern township of Inverell and in Uralla on the Northern Tablelands.
Read More
Despite this, authorities are preparing to open up travel between metropolitan Sydney and beyond although Premier Dominic Perrottet says it won't happen until Monday.
"That was an unpopular decision for many people in Sydney," he said of the timetable on Friday.
"But it was the right decision for regional NSW."
Meanwhile a pilot program for rapid antigen home testing kits in public schools will begin in Albury, near the Victorian border, next week.
The kits will be handed out by schools for use at home by staff and students, who have to undergo a test twice a week as part of community surveillance.
They will also be used for close contact testing to identify positive cases on school sites.
However anyone who gets a positive result will have to get a standard test straight away to confirm the diagnosis.
In Sydney, at least 10 people either acquired the virus at Bondi's Tea Gardens Hotel last Saturday or attended while infectious, NSW Health says.
The pub has been referred to the regulator for its COVID-safety compliance to be reviewed.
Noe Tanigawa covers art, culture, and ideas for Hawai'i Public Radio. Noe began working in news at WQXR, the New York Times' classical station in New York City, where she also hosted music programs from 1990-94. Prior to New York, Noe was a music host in jazz, rock, urban contemporary, and contemporary and classic Hawaiian music formats in Honolulu. Since arriving at HPR in 2002, Noe has received awards from the Los Angeles Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists Hawai'i Chapter, and an Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for coverage of the budget process at the Hawai'i State Legislature. Noe holds a Masters in Painting from UH Mānoa. She maintains an active painting practice, and has recently returned from a 2015 residency with the U.S. Art in Embassies program in Palau. Noe is from Wailupe Valley in East O'ahu.
A Sydney man in his 80s who died at Liverpool Hospital was fully vaccinated but had also been ill before contracting the virus.
Some 343 COVID-19 patients remain in NSW hospitals, 81 of them in intensive care and 33 in need of ventilation.
More than 77,000 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, while 93.5 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 or over have now received at least one vaccine jab.
The state's full vaccination rate stands at 87 per cent.
In the 12-15 year old age group, 79 per cent have had their first dose and 58.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
NSW COVID-19 update – Saturday 30 October 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 93.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 87% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 77,271 tests pic.twitter.com/o1zfZbcaBw
New cases continue to be detected in the regions. Of the 236 latest infections, at least 146 were reported in health districts outside Greater Sydney.
Some 73 cases were found in the Hunter New England, 33 in Murrumbidgee and 13 on the Mid North Coast. Others were reported in the Illawarra, on the Central Coast and in the Blue Mountains.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has also detected fragments of the virus in samples collected at Leeton in the Riverina, Mullumbimby in the Byron Shire, the northern township of Inverell and in Uralla on the Northern Tablelands.
Read More
Despite this, authorities are preparing to open up travel between metropolitan Sydney and beyond although Premier Dominic Perrottet says it won't happen until Monday.
"That was an unpopular decision for many people in Sydney," he said of the timetable on Friday.
"But it was the right decision for regional NSW."
Meanwhile a pilot program for rapid antigen home testing kits in public schools will begin in Albury, near the Victorian border, next week.
The kits will be handed out by schools for use at home by staff and students, who have to undergo a test twice a week as part of community surveillance.
They will also be used for close contact testing to identify positive cases on school sites.
However anyone who gets a positive result will have to get a standard test straight away to confirm the diagnosis.
In Sydney, at least 10 people either acquired the virus at Bondi's Tea Gardens Hotel last Saturday or attended while infectious, NSW Health says.
The pub has been referred to the regulator for its COVID-safety compliance to be reviewed.
COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said 18 per cent of the new infections were in children aged under 10, while two thirds of cases were aged under 40 and about one third under 20.
"This continues to be cases predominantly in our unvaccinated communities and predominantly affecting younger Victorians," he told reporters on Saturday.
"So, please, particularly for those people in their 20s, go out and get vaccinated."
From Monday, Victorians will be able to purchase rapid antigen tests from supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, to test themselves for COVID-19 from home.
Victoria records 1,355 new local COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths
"Stick them in a drawer at home, if you feel symptomatic you can use the test to provide you that extra bit of reassurance - either you are OK or maybe you are not OK," Mr Weimar said.
"Clearly any positive test with a rapid antigen test needs to be backed up with a PCR, but these are tools that become more possible and as we start to move around."
Thirty COVID-19 testing sites that were forced to close on Friday due to power outages and storms have all reopened today, Mr Weimar confirmed.
"If you weren't able to get to the nearest testing site yesterday, please do so today," he said.
Read More
There are 747 people in hospital, an increase of nine from Friday, with the seven-day average at 769. Of those, 135 are in intensive care with 83 on a ventilator.
More than 79 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 are now fully vaccinated, and 92.3 per cent have received a first dose.
There were 68,484 tests processed and 22,455 vaccine doses given at state-run hubs on Friday.
Saturday was the state's final daily COVID-19 briefing, with key information and statistics to instead be issued through a media release at 11am each day.
Read More
It comes as Melbourne and Victoria's regions reunited after coronavirus restrictions eased at 6pm on Friday, ahead of the state hitting its 80 per cent full vaccination target this weekend.
The border between Melbourne and the regions has now come down, masks no longer need to be worn outdoors, and capacity limits have increased for restaurants, pubs and cafes.
Indoor entertainment venues, gyms and retail have reopened to fully vaccinated patrons.
There were long lines outside stores at Bourke Street Mall and Chadstone shopping centre before doors were thrown open shoppers.
A 5,500-strong crowd is expected through the gates of Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day on Saturday, while 4,000 music fans will gather for a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the evening.
The new all inclusive park has many local children chomping at the bit to get on the equipment and have a play.
The amazing new playground located at Tresillian Park next to the pool features climbing ropes, swings, slides and plenty more that children of all ages and capabilities will be able to make the most of will be opened on Monday November 1 at 9am.
The park will be ready for local children to make the most of, especially coming into the warmer months.
The new ammenities will include a change table for adults as well as children making the area the perfect place for local families to be able to have a picnic or a day out.
The park will be very popular in the coming weeks.
The new playground will be opened on Monday morning at 9am. Photo: Hilltops Council
A project waging war on a destructive weed in the South-West and a dung beetle nursery on the south coast are among 76 projects funded in the McGowan Government's latest round of Natural Resource Management grants.
The McGowan Government has allocated $8 million towards Community Stewardship and Community Collaboration Grants in 2021, supporting locally driven conservation projects right across the State.
Nature Conservation Margaret River Region will receive a Community Stewardship Grant of $341,967 towards its Arum Lily Blitz to halt the spread of the South African plant, which invades waterways and impacts native flora and fauna communities.
The funds will help co-ordinate the 2022-2024 offensive, including control activities, data collection, surveying and mapping the spread of the weed to guide continued management strategies.
Since 2019, more than 1,300 local landowners have joined the Blitz army to actively control arum lilies on their properties across more than 16,000 hectares, alongside volunteers from environmental groups working in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee at Denmark will receive $34,780 in matching funds to establish four dung beetle nurseries, to fill a gap in supplies during the cooler months, as part of an initiative using the insect to help stem nutrient flow in local waterways.
Dung beetles are also used by landholders in the district to improve soil health and agricultural production, reduce flies and internal parasites in livestock and retain water in the landscape.
Other successful large projects include examining the use of regenerative agriculture practices in the Carnarvon banana industry, improving the management and use of environmental data in the Pilbara's Western Desert and redefining dryland salinity management in the Wheatbelt.
The small grants allocation features projects to raise awareness of brush-tailed phascogales in the Perth Hills, erosion control of the Bibbulmun Track in the Great Southern and South-West, mapping dieback on the south coast and protecting seabirds from marine debris on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
Community Collaboration Grants have been allocated to two community groups to improve feral animal management in the Great Southern and an investment in drought refuges to protect threatened freshwater species in the Metropolitan, Peel and Wheatbelt regions.
For a full list of Community Collaboration and Stewardship Grants visit http://www.nrm.gov.au/
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Local groups play a massive role in protecting and restoring our natural environment, and the McGowan Government is continuing to deliver on our commitment to support their important activities.
"The Arum Lily Blitz is an example of how local leadership from Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and support from the State Government can have a big impact on stopping the spread of an environment scourge.
"I salute the Blitz Army and the other grant recipients, who are delivering on-the-ground change across the State, from improving soil health to mitigating weeds and other pests, to enhancing the condition and sustainability of our natural resource assets."
Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"Waterways and marine environments are important part of natural resource management in Western Australia and I am delighted our Community Stewardship and Community Collaboration Grants empower local groups and volunteers to protect our unique natural assets.
"I am particularly pleased to see continued support for water projects, like the eco-education at Katanning's Piesse Park, rehydrating the mulga floodplains on Yuin Station in the Murchison and catchment rehabilitation of the Bannister Creek in the Canning community."
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"For 12 years, this unique natural resource management grants program has been empowering communities throughout WA to collaborate with government and industry in protecting their local environment.
"The range of grants, like conserving bird habitats on Wheatbelt farms, protecting endangered fauna in the Perth Hills and critically endangered possums in the South-West, to raising awareness about Kimberley shorebirds, reflects our Government's commitment to maintaining and enhancing WA's vast and diverse environment."
Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6200
Water Minister's office - 6552 6100
Environment Minister's office - 6552 5900
Disaster recovery assistance is available for 10 local governments in Western Australia's South West following multiple severe weather events in July 2021.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to provide local governments with assistance to repair essential public assets.
Between 20 and 31 July, successive severe weather systems moved across the South West Land Division, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding.
Disaster recovery assistance is available to the local government areas of Augusta-Margaret River, Boddington, Busselton, Corrigin, Dumbleyung, Katanning, Narrogin, Pingelly, Wagin and West Arthur.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the severe storms caused extensive damage to local infrastructure.
"Severe weather events are always distressing for those who experience them and that is why it is a priority of the Australian Government to support communities impacted by natural disasters.
"Some areas recorded more than 75mm of rain within 24 hours, causing flooding to major roads, while winds of up to 126km/h felled trees that required significant clean-up," Minister McKenzie said.
"Dozens of trees were brought down across roads, causing major disruption for residents and businesses.
"Through the joint Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, financial assistance is now available to repair state and local road networks and support clean-up operations."
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services Reece Whitby said State Emergency Service crews received over 60 requests for assistance from affected communities during this period.
"Ambulance services and school buses had to be diverted in some areas due to dangerous conditions associated with floodwaters," Minister Whitby said.
"Heavy haulage routes were closed in some areas and large vehicles were prevented from using any unsealed roads due to flooding.
"This disaster assistance will be an important contribution to the recovery of affected local government areas, particularly to repair significantly damaged state and local road networks."
The Western Australian Government will continue to work alongside the Australian Government and local communities to ensure those impacted have the necessary support they need.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au
Emergency Services Minister's office - 6552 6300
In just a few days, many Australians living in New South Wales or Victoria will be able to fly to London or Los Angeles — but not drive across the Queensland border.
Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to leave the country and will be able to travel to the UK, the USA, Canada, Italy, Greece, Germany and South Africa without needing to quarantine.
It'll be the first time since March last year that people have been able to leave the country without seeking an exemption from the federal government.
Quarantine requirements on return to Australia are up to the states.
Under Queensland's COVID-19 vaccination plan, 14 days' quarantine is still required for international arrivals — whether in a government facility or at home — until 90 per cent of the population over 16 is fully vaccinated.
From that time, there will be no restrictions on entry to Queensland and no quarantine required for fully vaccinated travellers.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to meet "relevant requirements for entry" and be required to undertake a period of quarantine.
The new all inclusive park has many local children chomping at the bit to get on the equipment and have a play.
The amazing new playground located at Tresillian Park next to the pool features climbing ropes, swings, slides and plenty more that children of all ages and capabilities will be able to make the most of will be opened on Monday November 1 at 9am.
The park will be ready for local children to make the most of, especially coming into the warmer months.
The new ammenities will include a change table for adults as well as children making the area the perfect place for local families to be able to have a picnic or a day out.
The park will be very popular in the coming weeks.
The new playground will be opened on Monday morning at 9am. Photo: Hilltops Council
Rock Solid Gardening Supplies has joined forces with The Riv and will present this year’s Christmas Shop Local campaign.
There will be $6000 up for grabs for customers of participating businesses, with the month-long promotion expected to repair some of the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across the past 18 months.
The Shop Local campaign kicks off on Monday, November 22 when we will uncover the first of the participating businesses.
Readers will be able to access a list of participating businesses as well as keep a keen eye out for those that are displaying the Shop Local logo, featuring the Rock Solid branding, in their windows.
It’s a simple concept: The Riv and Rock Solid want to keep Echuca-Moama locals in town to do their Christmas shopping, so the incentives are enormous.
Riv advertising manager Kristy Hayes said shopping locally and supporting the local business community was more important than ever right now.
“Businesses of all sizes continue to be impacted by COVID-19 so we’re really excited to partner with Rock Solid to encourage people to shop locally and reward those who are not only supporting our local businesses, but are also supporting local job growth.”
Customers could win a share of $6000, with weekly giveaways of $1000 and $500 in shopping vouchers for the participating stores.
From Monday, November 22 until Sunday, December 19 any purchases made at participating stores will earn the customer an entry into the corresponding week’s draw.
So, for local businesses that haven’t signed up for the promotion yet and wish to participate, call Riv advertising manager Kristy Hayes on 5482 1111.
All 12 editions of The Riv during the four weeks of the promotion will feature details of participants and, excitingly for readers, our winning customers.
Weekly winners will have the chance to choose where they spend their winnings as the prize money can only be spent at participating businesses.
Promotional posters, coupons and entry boxes for customers will be stationed at all of these businesses and the draws will be on November 30 and December 7, 14 and 21.
Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Parks
Following the devastating 2018-19 summer bushfires, infrastructure recovery works undertaken by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments have been a key economic driver across a range of sectors in regional and remote areas including construction, transport, retail and have supported an estimated 39 full-time jobs.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service identified the need to rebuild and repair over 117 kilometres of walking tracks, 119 kilometres of roads, many bridges and other assets which had been damaged or destroyed during the bushfires.
Jointly funded by the Tasmanian and the Federal Government’s Community Recovery Fund, this $8.3 million reconstruction program has worked with 24 Tasmanian businesses who supplied materials including treated timber, metal plates, chicken wire, bugle screws, gravel, fibre-reinforced polymer sheeting and tent platforms.
I’d also like to acknowledge the PWS employees and transport operators who have been a critical link in our supply chain, ensuring the delivery of these materials to the remote track work teams in the TWWHA in Tassie’s infamous “four seasons in one day” weather.
This includes delivering over 5000 metres of timber planking, 20 bridges, and approximately 4000 steps and 400 water bars to the three teams completing the rebuild of the Lake Judd and Mt Anne tracks.
In the two years since the bushfires, a number of iconic tracks in the fire affected areas have already reopened including Lake Rhona and Farmhouse Creek, with the much anticipated Mt Anne Circuit due to reopen soon.
The Eastern Arthur Range Traverse – between Hanging Lake and Cracroft Plains – and the Western Arthur Range Traverse north/east of West Portal are undergoing critical works, and are expected to reopen in autumn next year.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s investment in restoring the infrastructure of some of our most iconic remote area bushwalks following these devastating bushfires is a clear demonstration of our support for our regional communities, local businesses and local jobs.
More Media Releases from Jacquie Petrusma
More Media Releases from the Minister for Parks
An iconic business around the region, the Jeffs family took the reins of the company from the Jamiesons in 1988, and current Managing Director Troy Jeffs said they haven't looked back since.
"Seeing such a successful business grow from the hard work that my parents put in, drives me to continue their legacy and continue to grow the business and provide to locals and surrounding areas as we have done for many years."
Like many prominent businesses in regional areas, a strong family team certainly helps build success, however Troy said they couldn't do it alone. "We have 14 staff and my family have always said, and I would agree, good staff makes a good business," he said. "Having staff that are committed, honest and loyal are important attributes to making a business work.
"This in turn flows over to how our customers are treated. One must believe in the product you are offering your customers, standby your decisions and be fair and honest with your customers.
"You also need to have the the drive and commitment to succeed which in turn enables the business to grow and prosper."
Lucky for Jamiesons, the business was classed as an essential service throughout COVID restrictions, so were allowed to stay open with the exception of their showroom being closed during the most recent lockdowns. With things opening back up again, Troy said it was great to be able to re-open the showroom, meet with clients again, and get back to doing what they do best.
"We strive to achieve the best personal customer service and advice to our customers, whether it be trade enquiries, handymen or the home renovator," he said. "We will always be upfront with pricing and advice and encourage people to reach out with any queries they may have.
"Jamiesons also is the only combined joinery/timber yard/building supply business in the Central West, which is an advantage to the customer as we really are a one-stop building shop."
In fact, more than customers have benefitted from the generosity of Jamiesons over the years with the whole community receiving support through sponsorship and donations to local sporting groups, schools, the arts and a variety of charities.
Troy said the more local support they received, enabled their business to better support the community, employ more local people and further the growth of the business.
"We encourage people to shop locally by offering competitive pricing, personal service and after sales service," he said. "Consumers can view our business and products by searching our website, Facebook and Instagram, and through our team being available remotely we can provide information online."
Jamiesons Joinery & Building Centre really are a one-stop shop, and have two sides to the business. The first is the joinery and manufacturing side that provides cabinet making services from manufacturing kitchens through to wardrobes and laundry cabinetry, timber windows, timber screen doors, and more.
The second side to the business is the building centre and timber yard, which provides retail and trade sales in products such as timber, building supplies, tiles, hardware, plumbing and bathroomware, along with a full fit out showroom for bathrooms and kitchens.
New South Wales has recorded 293 new local cases of COVID-19 and two deaths after a Sydney gym became the centre of a coronavirus cluster.
NSW Health said there were 89,678 tests undertaken in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday and 11 fewer new local cases than the previous day.
There are 381 COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals, with 82 of them in intensive care.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
ABC Central West Local News - ABC Central West Local News - ABC Radio ABC NewsVictoria has recorded 1,923 new local COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths as the state prepares for another easing of restrictions tomorrow.
It is the highest single-day death toll recorded during Victoria's current outbreak.
There are now 22,189 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 272 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
The new cases were detected from 82,648 test results received yesterday.
There were 21,272 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Restrictions across the state are set to further ease when 80 per cent of its population aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, expected to happen tomorrow.
From 6pm on Friday, masks will no longer be mandatory outdoors, non-essential retail stores and gyms will reopen and travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will be allowed.
More to come.
Loading form...
